Translation of the Chofetz Chaim's Sefer Shmiras HaLashon. This site is dedicated to the improvement of the speech of members of Bnei Yisrael. To help avoid all sorts of troubles, learn Shmiras HaLashon - "One who guards his mouth and his tongue guards from troubles of his soul." (Mishlei: 21; 23)

Sunday, March 25, 2007

Shmiras HaLashon ט"ו טבת - Teves 15 - One-Hundred-and-Fifth Day

This attribute [of overlooking the sins that others have committed against oneself], at times, benefits the person, [in addition to being pardoned for all of his sins], by [leading to a] lengthening [of] his life. [The above applies] even if it was already decreed against him [in Heaven], that he would die. [This follows that which] is [taught in maseches Rosh HaShanah (17a)], regarding an incident involving Rav Huna the son of Rabbi Yihoshua, who became ill, and [thereupon] Rav Pappa came up to visit him. [Whereupon seeing Rav Huna, Rav Pappa] saw that [it seemed that Rav Huna] was about to die[1] [and thereupon] said [before those present] to present his burial shrouds. [However], in the end, [Rav Huna] recovered [from his sickness. As a result of his statement concerning the preparation of Rav Huna’s burial shrouds], Rav Pappa was embarrassed to [come to] see [Rav Huna. Nevertheless], Rav Pappa asked Rav Huna, as follows]: “What did you see [when you were deathly ill]?” [Rav Huna responded to Rav Pappa by] saying to him: “Yes, this was the case (that death was decreed upon me), and The Holy One, Blessed is He, said to him, “Since he’s non-combative regarding personal matters do not be exacting concerning [his actions].”[2] Concerning [attaining the benefits of] such [a possibility of increasing one’s lifespan], a person needs to constantly cling to this holy attribute [of overcoming his negative impulses], and, [as a result of this], it will be good for him in this [world] and in [The World to] Come.

[1] The literal translation of this phrase in the gemara is “the world was weakening him”.

[2] The gemara continues with a support for Rav Huna’s miraculous recovery for it says in the pasuk, “He pardons for the intentional sin and passes over the rebellious sin…” (Michah: 7; 18) This follows that which we have learned previously, “For whom does [HaShem] pardon [their] intentional sin? [HaShem pardons the sin of] one who passes over rebellious [sins].”